Improvement in watches



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

R. WHITTAKER.

Watch.

rented Nov. 13,1877.

w 0 n@ F rLFEYERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER. WAsrnNGToN. n C

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. WHITTAKER.

Watch.

No. 197,068. Patented Nov.13,1877.

Wings@ :4.FETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER WASHINGTDN D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD VI-IITTAKER, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

IM PROVEM ENT IN WATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,068, dated November 13, 1877; application filed November 20, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD WHITTAKER, of the city of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented Improvements in Vatches, of which the following is a speciiication:

. My invention relates more particularly to improvements in the keyless mechanism of going-barrel watches, sometimes called stemwinding and stem-setting watches;77 the object of my invention being to simplify and strengthen the mechanism for winding up the mainspring and for setting the hands.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures l, 2, 3, and 4 are plan views of the winding and setting mechanism of an open-faced watch constructed according to my invention. Fig.

5 is a detail of the winding-spindle socket.

Fig. 6 is a plan of the top plate. Fig. 7 is a plan of the back ofthe top plate. Fig. 8 is a plan of the winding, setting, and lookin g mechanism of a hunting-case watch constructed according to my invention; Fig. 9 shows the manner in which the dial-plate is secured to the watch. Fig. l() is a sectional view through the plate A2; Fig. 11, a sectional view in the line x x of Fig. 6; and Fig. 12, a cross-section through the axis of the barrel-arbor.

For the purpose of clearly describing the invention, I will divide the specificationl into sections, beginning with- The solid top plate- A is the case of an open-face watch, which contains the top and bottom plates Al and A2. The top plate is solid, instead of being made, as usual, to fit on pillars, and when fitted in the case lies directly in contact with lower plate. Counter or opposite sinks to those usually turned in the lower plate areturned out of the top plate for the pinions, arbors, and wheels to work in. The large channel rv :o x, Fig. 7, is turned out for the purpose of examining the heights, depths, and freedoms of the third, fourth, and scape wheels. The scapebar, which is usually a distinct piece screwed onto thc lower or pillar plate, I leave solid with and forming a part of the top plate, making the bar much stronger. A3 is the balance-cock, which, in three-quarter-plate watches, usually projects a little above the top plate, but which I sink about as much below the surface of the top plate.

The advantages gained by this construction of top plate,l scape-bar, and balance-cock are that the watch is pressure-proof--that is, it cannot be stopped by pressure applied on the sides, and saves the making and fitting of scape-bar, four pillars, and from six to nine screws; further, it allows the entire thickness of the top and lower plates to be given to the bearing surfaces of the keyless mechanism, thus making them and allowing them to be made much stronger than in any watch now in use, without adding to the thickness of the watch.

The winding and setting mechanism.-B is the barrel-arbor, having two pivots, the lower one of which, B3, ts within a hole cut in the lower plate, and the upper one, b4, is adapted to receive and aid in supporting the barrel. On the opposite face of the lower plate a sink, b1, is sunk, to receive the click or winding-up wheel B2. The hole in the click-wheel B2 is tapped with a left-handed thread, the wheel fitting on a similarly-threaded stud, b2, projecting from the end of the barrel-arbor, and when screwed home slightly binds the arbor to the lower plate A2. When the keyless mechanism has to be worked from the upper plate, as in the caseof chronographs, quarter-second, and some ordinary watches, the same principle will apply, but a right-hand screw must be used instead of aleft-hand one. advantages of this arrangement of the barrelarbor, stop and click wheels are, it saves a bar, and from iive to eight screws, and is stronger than any other existing arrangement.

a is the usual hollow stem or pendant of the watch, through which passes the spindle C. The front end of this spindleis enlarged, forming a collar, Cl, which tits within a cylindrical recess, c, sunk in the socketpiece C2. From the center of this recess a stud, o1, projects, entering a hole drilled to receive it in the end of the spindle. The diameter of the spindle C, immediately behind the collar C1, is reduced for a short distance, forming a groove, c2, but is enlarged again to form the ange o3, which prevents the spindle being The drawn out. O2 is a sleeve encircling the spindle G, to the front endof which the bevelwheel G4 isfastened. The sleeve, and with it the wheel, is caused to revolve, when the spindle is turned, by means of the projecting stud c* (attached to the spindle) working in an elongated slot cut in the sleeve. At the same time the spindle may bedrawn out or pushed in the length of the slot without affecting the sleeve or bevel-wheel.

D is a spring-lever orv shifting-bar pivoted on the pin D, and working in a suitable recess sunk in the lower plate A2. One end, D, of the bar D lits within the groove c2 on the spindle C. To the'other and longer end an upright stud, D2, is itted, around which revolves the toothed wheel D3. D5 is a toothed wheel revolving on the same center as the shiftingbar-D, gearing into the bevel-wheel G, and also into the toothed wheel D3. B2 is the winding-up wheel, attached to the barrel-arbor, as before described. F isV the minutewheel. d is a spring, either attached to the bar D or cut from the solid bar, which, pressing against the side of the recess, always throws the long end of the shifting-bar to the right, constantly keeping the wheel D3 in gear with the winding-up wheel B2, except in theA hunting-cased watch, in which the barrel, and consequently the shifting-bar, works on the left-hand side of the pendant. The spring then throws the longer end of the bar to the left. The position and size of the wheel D3 and the 'minute-wheel F are such .that when the shifting-bar is thrown over to the left side of the slot they will gear.

To wind up the watch, turn the button (l5 forward in the usual way. In order to set the hands, turn the button back about half a 'turn with a slight outward tension. This action draws the collar Clhard against the short end Dl of the pivoted 'shifting-bar D, causing the longer end to compress the spring d, and to travel to the left side of the recess, carrying with it the toothed wheel D, which leaves the winding-up wheel B2, travels around the periphery of the wheel D5, and gears with the minute-wheel F. The operator can then, by simply turning the button backward or forward, arrange the hands as desired. On letting go the button, the spring d forces the v shifting-bar to its former position, throwing the wheel D2 out of gear with ,the minute-l wheel into again. v

The pin D6 not only acts as the pivot on which the shifting-bar D and the wheel D5 work, but also passes through the center of the socket-pieceV (l2, keeping it in position;

gear with the winding-up'wheel and, finally, by entering a tapped hole in the top plate, binds the two rmly together. y

The advantages of this arrangement of the plates A" and A2 winding-up and setting mechanism are that it is simple and strong. Many existing mechan- 1 isms are liable to alter the time of the watch by being yundesignedly pulled into gear with Y the motion or hand wheels. With my construction such accidents cannot occur, as the winding-and-settin g wheel cannot remain connected with the motion-wheels, but ies out of gear with them, immediately the outward tension ceases o n the button, into gear with' fact that the setting ofthe hands is not of frequent occurrence in a good watch.

Another important advantage is, the shifting-bar not only works upon a hardened-steel center, but it also works between two surfaces of tempered steel.

Fig. 5 represents two views of the sternsocket piece C2 and stud C1. This socket ts within a recess Asunk in the top plate A1, and equalizes the pressure from one end to the otherv of the spindle C in the pendant, and prevents the bevel-wheel depth of lpendant from wearing shallow, thus strengthening a weak point in all mechanisms.

C6 is a steel bushing fitted in the pendant to receive the sleeve and Ihub of the windingbutton. The inner end of the bushing is flanged and hollowed out, as shown at C7, to receive the back of the bevel-wheel C4.v

El is the click of the barrel-wheel B2, working in a recess sunk inthe lower plate A2.

kThe click-spring E is attached to the head of the click (instead of the tail,as usual) by screw or rivet, or--it may be cut out of the solid. '.lhe click is attached to the plate by a stud, E?, screwed through the plate and click.

The stud E3 projects about threc-sixteenths of an inch at the back of the lower plate, and fits, when the plates are together, into a hole sunk in the top plate to receive it, forming a strong steady-pin for the connection of the two plates. The advantage of this construction isthat a strong spring with little action is secured, and, therefore, the spring is not likely to break.

Dial-plate. fastening-In Fig. 9, G is the dial-plate, which is secured to the top plate by the springs Gl, secured in the holes G3, as shown by the screws g. These springs clasp an inverted cone turned on the dial-feet G2. One of the springs is sunk in a hole drilled in the top plate, the other in the balance-cock.

The advantages of this arrangement are that time is saved in putting on and taking o the dial-plate, and that the dial cannot move; further, the feet are not likely to be injured in repairing or using, and the springs, being sunk, f

'cannot get broken by the repairer of the watch when he is brushing the plate or cock.

The hunting-case watch-In this class of watch the winding and setting mechanism,

while remaining substantially the same in` principle, is of necessity modified in some parts to meet the difference in construction between the hunting-case and the open-face watch.

In Fig. 8, A4 is the inclosing-case of a hunting-case watch. c is the stern or pendant. At one side ofthe pendant a slot, a, is eut within the case, through which passes the end h of the lock-spring H. The end of the spring when at rest presses against the inner end of the push-piece I. This push-piece is squared on the spindle CX, and is fastened to the spindle by a cylindrical nut, t', which is allowed a siiiiicient amount of end play within a suitable cavity bored in the outer end of the pushpiece I. The outer end of the push-piece is flanged, and has attached the winding-button I. The periphery of this button is tinted instead of being milled, as usual. G4 is the bevelwheel, squared on the spindle C", and revolving within a steel bushing, C0, as in the openface watch. The inner end of this bushing is enlarged, the face being nished concave to receive the convex back of the bevel-wheel G4. DX is the shifting-bar, pivoted, as before, but provided with two arms, D8 and D9, working in sinks cut in the plate, either or both arms being provided with springs bearing against the face of the sink to keep the bar in position. On each arm a toothed wheel is pivoted, both gearing into the wheel D5, and operated from the bevel-wheel Ct, as in the open-face watch.

On the arm D9 the wheel D7 is pivoted, which gears into the winding-up wheel B2. On D8 the wheel D10 is pivoted, which, when the spindle is drawn out, gears with the minutewheel F.

The action of the spring on the shifting-bar keeps the wheels D7 and B2 always in gear, except when the spindle is pulled out to adjust the hands 5 then the spring is compressed, the bar moves over, taking the wheel D7 out of gear and placing D10 in gear with F, D10 returning to its former position when the tension on the spindle ceases.

I claim as my invention 1. The scape -bar' af, fashioned from and forming a part of the solid top plate A1, arranged substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the barrel-arbor B, constructed as herein specified, plate A2, stud b2, and winding-up wheel B2, substantially as herein set forth. f

3. The combination of the click-spring E with the head of the click E', substantially as specified.

4. The combination of the spindle C, provided with a collar, C1, and stud c1 of the slotted sleeve C3, and bevel-wheel C1, these parts being constructed and operating coiij ointly, as shown and described.

5. The spindle provided with a collar, C1, groove c2, and fiange c3, in combination with a single or a double armed spring shifting-bar arranged and operating substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

6. The combination of the bevel-wheel G4, wheel D5, pivoted on the pin D0, and wheel D3, pivoted on the spring shitting-bar D, these parts being arranged and operating substaiitially as described, and for the purpose specified.

7 The wheel D0, pivoted on the spring shifting-bar D, and operated in the inaniier hereinbefore described, in combination with the minute-wheel F, arranged and operating substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

8. The wheel D3, pivoted on the spring shifting-bar D, and operated in the manner hereinbefore described, in combination with the winding-up wheel B2, arranged and operating substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

9. The spindle-socket C2, with recess c and projecting stud c1, in combination with the spindle v(l, arranged and operating substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

10. The push-piece I, with winding-button I attached, in combination with -tlie spindle C", with nut z' attached, substantially as set forth.

ll. The case lock-spring H, with reduced end h entering the hollow pendant c from either right or left hand side, through and working in a slot, c", in combination with the push-piece I, arranged and operating substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

12. The toothed wheels D10 and D7, severerally pivoted on the arms D5 and D0, and operated in the manner hereinbefore described, in combination with the minute-wheel F and winding-np wheel B2, as shown in Fig. S, these parts adapting the invention to hunting-case watches, and being arranged and.- operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. rI1he dial-feet G0, attached to the dial G, in combination with the clasp-springs G1, arranged and operating substantially as described, aiid for the purpose specified.

14. The lower plate A2, with sink A5 cnt through the entire thickness of the plate to allow of depth and strength iii the construction of the shifting-bar D and wiiiding-aiidsetting mechanism, arranged substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

l5. The bushing C0, fitted within the pendant a., with collar CT, having a concave face to receive the convex back of the bevel-wheell G4, arranged substantiallyl as described, and

for the purpose specified.

RICHARD VHITTAKER. Witnesses:

Gno..A. Arun, DONALD C. Rinou'r. 

